Kamiakin, Hanford students serve as pages for Sen. Matt Boehnke

Ryan Benham, of Kennewick, and Alexander Li, of Richland, spent a week in Olympia in the Senate Page Program

March 19, 2025

Ryan Benham, Kennewick and Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Ryan Benham and Alexander Li recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia.

The teens were among 19 students who served as Senate pages for the ninth week of the 2025 legislative session.

The duo was sponsored by Sen. Matt Boehnke, who represents the 8th Legislative District, which includes Kennewick and Richland in Benton County.

“The page program is a great opportunity for youth from all over the state to connect and meet other students interested in politics,” Boehnke said. “Both of these boys were fantastic pages who did great work, and I am glad they both enjoyed their experience here at the Legislature.”

Ryan, a sophomore at Kamiakin High School and 16-year-old son of Denise Benham of Kennewick, became interested in paging when it was brought to his attention though his school.

He couldn’t be happier about having applied, commenting that “paging is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with an abundance of knowledge to gain in only a week’s time.”

Alexander, 15, is the son of Huidong Li of Richland. He is a sophomore at Hanford High School, where he is involved in Key Club and has gone to state as a Knowledge Bowl team member two years in a row.

Getting to meet fellow pages from across the state was the highlight of Alexander’s experience. “Making friendships with other students from all over the place was something I never expected, but I am so happy it happened,” he said.

Alexander Li, Richland and Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate The Senate Page Program provides an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working at the Legislature. Students transport documents between offices, as well as deliver messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a legislative mock session.

Alexander Li, Richland and Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

The Senate Page Program provides an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working at the Legislature. Students transport documents between offices, as well as deliver messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a legislative mock session.

Students interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit the Senate Page webage.

Applications for the 2026 legislative session open November 1, 2025.